Ironing table



June 26, 1934. FLAGSTAD 1,963,977

IRONINGITABILE Filed Nov. 2. 11951 as Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 05cm? ,4. FLAGSTAD ATTORNEY June 1934- o. A. FLAGSTAD 1,963,977

IRONING TABLE Filed Nov. 2, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 mvs TOR 05cm? .FLAGSTAD Y ATTORN EY June 26, 1934. I Q FLAGSTAD 7' 1,963,977

IRONING TABLE Filed Nov. 2, 1931 s Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR 030m A. FZA ssmp ATTO RN EY Patented June 26, 1934 Oscar A. Flagstad Minneapolis, Minn.

Application November 2, 1931, Serial No. 572,487-

15 Claims.

This invention relates to collapsible ironing tables, and the primary object is to provide such a table that is comparatively simple, eflicient, and practical in design, that is exceptionally firm or rigid when set up and in use, and which collapses in such a manner as to take up but a very small amount of fioor space when it is folded together and out of use. A further object is to provide a collapsible ironing table in which the collapsing frame work is so designed that the table can be set up or taken down with a. minimum amount of physical effort, and wherein said operations can be effected without the necessity of the operator stooping over or stretching to manipulate the various parts. These and still other and more specific objects will be disclosed in detail in the course of the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherelIlZ- Fig. 1 is a perspective elevation of an ironing table incorporating a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view similar to Fig. l, but showing the table in a partly collapsed condition.

Fig. 3 is an enlargeddetail sectional elevation as seen about as on the line 3-3 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail view on the line 4-4 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective elevation of the table showing it as entirely collapsed or folded together as when it is to be set away out of use.

Fig. 6 is a perspective detail view of a spring hook device, as seen on the line 6-6 in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail section through a latch mechanism, as seen on the line 7-7 in Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a perspective elevation similar to the lower part of Fig. 1, but showing a modified form of bracing structure.

Fig. 9 is a perspective elevation of an ironing table embodying a form of the invention that is somewhat modified from those shown in Figs. 1 to 7, and in Fig. 8.

Figs.--'10 and 13 are detail perspective views showing modified forms of brace construction.

Fig. 11 is a perspective elevation of a metal ironing board, detached from the leg and brace structure, this unit having certain novel features of construction which of course are not present in the wooden type for which it may be readily substituted.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged sectional detail view on the line 1212 in Fig.11.

Reference will now be made to the various fig- 55 ures of the drawings by reference characters, like parts being designated by like characters in the particular figures wherein such parts are shown.

It may here be noted that as a matter of convenience the terms board or ironingboard will be used in its popular sense to indicate broadly the fiat element presenting theironing surface, and regardless as to whether said board-' is strictly a wooden board, or is made of sheet metal or other material; and, the terms table or ironing table will be employed in thebroad sense of including 35 both the board and also the supporting structure which is made up of the legs, braces, and other collapsible elements.

In the embodiment of the invention'illustrated by Figs. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7, the ironing table is made up, essentially, of the ironing board A, a rear supporting leg frame B, a forward or front leg frame C, a connecting frame D rigidly connecting lower portions of the respective leg frames B and C, and a brace frame E detachably connecting the rear .end of the board A to a lower part of the leg frame B to rigidly maintain the board in a horizontal position and also to releasably lock the leg connecting frame D with respect to the leg frame B.

I The ironing board A proper as shown is made of wood and is provided upon its under side with a transverse cleat 14 and a pair of converging brace members 15 all of which are designed to reinforce-the board and resist any tendency to warping and distortion. The board is further provided with a metallic cross strap 16 having depending ears 1'! at its opposite ends to which the leg frames B and C are pivoted as by rivets 18- The leg frame B is made up of a pair of parallel angle iron legs '19 and 20, which are connected by a cross bar 21. This cross bar is secured to the rear flanges of the legs as by rivets 22, while angular end extensions 23 of the bar, are bent around parallel with but slightly spaced from the laterahflahges of the legs 19-20, as shown in Fig. 4, so as to engage the rivet heads 24 of arm extensions 25 at the ends of the metal rod, which forms the brace frame E, and thus prevent said extensions 25 from slipping or moving laterally out of place in the legs. The frame E, as

already indicated is preferably made of bar or red iron, and is substantially V-shaped except for the extensions 25, and a short cross piece 26 at its apex or upper end.

The cross arm 26 of the frame E is designed for quickly releasable interlocking engagement with a lock or latch device G secured upon the underside of the rear end of the board A. This device 110 they will have no tendency to pull the cross piece 26 out of the slot 28. The said cross piece 26 is releasably secured in place by an unbalanced latch member. 29, which is pivoted in the bracket 27, as at 30, and has a relatively heavier inner end arranged to drop into the position shown in Fig. 7 to hold the bar 26 from dropping out of the notch 28. To remove the bar 26 it is only necessary for the operator to engage the outer or exposed end of the lever 29 and tilt it to the dotted line position (Fig. 7), thus permitting, the brace to drop out of engagement with the member 27. It may here also be noted that the lever 29 is so arranged that moving the brace piece 26 into the recess 28 automatically raises the lever and thus snaps the brace into locked position without any other effort on the part of I the operator.

The board A is provided on its under surface with a second releasable securing device, H, as shown in Figs. 2, 5, and 6, and this device has for its purpose to secure the various collapsible parts of the table in their folded or nested positions so that the table can be handled and stored or set away as a compact unit, and without any danger that some of the sections or parts thereof will drop or move out of place. 'I'his'device H, as shown, consists primarily of a flanged base plate 31, to which an L-shaped hook member 32 is pivoted as at 33, for releasable engagement with the cross bar 21 of the section or frame B. A spring 34 is arranged to releasably hold the hook in engagement over the bar.

' The leg frame C as previously indicated is piv- 'oted to the board A as at 18, and is made upof two inclined angle iron legs 35 and 36 which are rigidly connected near their lower ends by a cross bar 37 and braces 38. i

The connecting frame D is substantially U- shaped in form with its ends-pivotally connected to the frame C as at 39. This frame D is made of a single bar or rod of iron, and the cross bar 40 forming its rear end is offset downwardly as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, so that it may drop down between the rearwardly offset portion of the cross bar 21 and the lateral arm extensions 25 of the brace frame E, thus forming a rigid interlocking connection between the frame D and the frames B and E. It will of course be noted that the rear end of the frame D encloses the frame E so that the bar 40 may drop down into'the position indicated. It may also be noted with particular reference to Figs. 3 and 4 that after the frame D has been dropped down into its operative position and the frame E is moved rearwardly for interlocking engagement with the latch G, the

, side bars of the frame E will be moved into a points upon ,the' floor, as is sometimes found de- The forward end of the board A can then be dropped down into the position indicated in Fig. 2. The upper or rear end of the board may then be lifted slightly until the operator can conveniently grasp'the bar 40 of the frame D, whereupon the latter can be lifted toward the board while the frames B and E are folded underand upwardly toward the now lowered end of the board, the entire device of course being new supported only by the leg frame C'. As the various parts are moved into their collapsed position, as shown particularly in Fig. 5, the operator engages the hook 32 and moves it down until it can be engaged over the cross bar 21 of the frame B torigidly secure all-the parts in their ,foided positions as previously noted.

In the modified structure shown in Fig.9 I have illustrated how the invention may be incorporated 'in a table having only three bearing sirable. In this instancethe' board A, the leg frame B, and the bracing frame E are all substantially identical with the parts bearing the same characters in the previously described flgures, except, however, that the legs 41 and 42 of the frame B are channel shaped in cross section in preference to the angle iron structure of the previously described legs 19 and 20. In this instance'the forwardly disposed leg frame C1,.in-

stead of being of the angle iron type shown in Fig. 1, is made up of a single piece of comparatively heavy bar iron, the same being substantially V-shaped in form and with its upper ends pivotally connected to board A as at 43. The

lower end of the frame C1 in this particular instance is provided with a short cross piece '44 which extends through eyes 45 formed at the forward converging ends of the bar which formsthe triangular connecting frame D1, which is of course substituted for the previously described frame D of Fig. 1. It will of course be understood that the eyes 45 at the forward end of the frame D1 rotatably engage the cross piece 44 .of the frame C1 and provide the actual floor contacting foot for the forward end ofthe leg frame C1.

In the modification shown 'in Fig. 13 the eyes 45 of Fig. 9 have been substituted by a sheet metal member 46 having a bearing portion 47 for bearing engagement with the cross piece 44. This member 46 is doubled back upon itself at its rear to form a pair of receiving'pockets or openings for the forward ends of the bars 48, which make up the now slightly modified connecting frame D2, and as these rod ends are put in place with in the member 46 they are rigidly and permanent ly secured thereto by spot welding, which operation also of course firmly unites the two adjacent portions of the member 46. In the modification shown in Fig. v10, the forward leg frame C2 is made up'of a single piece of bar metal, the lower/ end of which is doubled upon itself and bent around to form a floor contacting shoe as well as a bearing 49 for the reception of a cross piece 50 of a triangular bracing frame D3. In this instance also the upper ends tire edge, which flange of course constitutes a substantial reinforcing and rigidifying medium. To further resist any flexing or bending tendency in the board I provide it with a'reinforcing frame.

53. This frame is made up of an endless piece of comparatively heavy strap iron, and is designed with an irregular shape so that certain parts of it will contact at spaced intervals with the flange 52, and at which intervals it will be spot welded to the flange as at 54, while inter-' mediate parts of the frame 53 will extend in under the plate proper, as at 55, to give the desired support and bracing effect. At spaced intervals the frame 53 is further secured by cross bars 56 and 57, which are riveted or otherwise fastened as shown, and the latter of which may have the end lugs 58 for connecting the leg frames of the table.

The cross bars 56 and 57 have depending loops 59 for engaging and securing adjacent parts of the frame 53.

It is understood that suitable modifications may be made in the structure as disclosed, provided such modifications come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Having now therefore fully illustrated and described my invention, what I-ciaim to be new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination including an ironing board, front and rear leg frames pivotally connected to the board to form a support therefor at a point intermediate the ends of the board, a connector frame extending from the front leg frame for bracing engagement with the rear leg frame, and a second bracing frame pivotally secured at its lower end to and extending from the rear leg in substantial parallelism with the front leg frame, and to one end of the board for supporting the board in a horizontal position, said second bracing frame cooperating with the rear leg frame to form an interlock, adjacent the point of pivoted connection therebetween, to releasably secure the connector frame in its said bracing engagement with the rear leg frame.

2. In a collapsible ironing table the combination comprising an ironing board, a substantially upright rear leg frame disposed under a rear portion of the board and hingedly secured thereto, a second leg frame disposed in an inclined position under the forward part of the board, a connector frame pivotally attached at its forward end to the inclined leg frame and having a cross bar at its rear for releasable engagement with said first mentioned leg frame, and a brace frame disposed in substantial parallelism with the second leg frame for connecting said rear leg frame to the board and releasably engaging the cross bar of the connector frame to lock the same with respect to said rear leg frame.

3. The combination including an ironing board, front and rear leg frames pivotally connected to the board to form a support therefor, a connector frame extending from the forward leg frame rearwardly and having a cross bar at its rear end for interlocking connection with the rear leg frame, and'a brace frame extending from the rear leg frame upwardly and rearwardly to the board but in front of said cross bar to establish said interlocking connection.

4. The combination including an ironing board, front and rear leg frames pivotally connected to the board to form a support therefor,

a connector frame extending from the forward leg frame rearwardly and having a cross bar at its rear end for interlocking connection with the rear leg frame, and a brace frame extending from the rear leg frame upwardly and rearwardly to the board but infront of said-cross bar to establish said interlocking connection, said rear leg frame having means for abutting against the rear end of the connector frame.

5. The combination including an ironing board, front and rear leg frames pivotally connected to the board to form a support therefor,

a brace frame for bracing the board with respect to one of the leg frames, and a connector -frame between the leg frames, said brace frame comprising a substantially V-shaped bar having its terminal ends pivotally engaging one of the leg 1frames, said bar cooperating with an adjacent portion of the said leg frame to form an interlock recess therewith for receiving and releasably securing the connector frame to the leg frame when the bar is moved in a predetermined manner of such pivot, the apex portion of the brace frame being releasably secured to the board.

6. The combination including an ironing board, front and rear leg frames pivotally connected to the board to form a support therefor, a brace frame for bracing the board with respect to one of the leg frames, and a connector frame between the leg frames pivotally secured at one of its ends to one of the leg frames and having a cross bar at its other end releasably secured to the other leg frame by said brace frame. 3 7. The combination including an ironing board hinged to front and rear supporting leg frames, a brace pivoted to the front leg frame and having a cross bar at its rear end for engagement with the rear leg frame, and a swingable brace frame disposed in substantial parallelism with the front leg frame and connected with the rear leg frame for rigidly locking said spacing brace with the rear'leg frame, and said brace frame being attached to the board for supporting the same in a horizontal position.

8. The combination including an ironing board hinged to front and rear supporting leg frame to form an interlock for the spacing frame and adapted to releasably connect with means at the rear end of the board to hold the board in a rigid set up position.

9. The combination of an ironing board hinged near its rear end to front and rear supporting leg frames, a leg spacing frame for interlocking connection with a swingable V-shaped brace frame, said V-shaped brace frame being adapted to form a secondary board support and pivoted to the rear supporting leg frame for rigidly locking said spacing frame with respect to the rear supporting leg. frame, said brace frame being disposed in substantial parallelism with the front leg frame.

10. In a collapsible ironing table, the combination'including an ironing board, front and rear leg frames pivotally eonnectedto the board to form a support therefor, a spacing frame hinged to the front leg frame and having a cross bar at 9. support therefor, a connector frame pivotally connected with the front leg frame and extending rearwardly and having a crossbar at its rear end for interlocking connections with the rear leg frame, a V-shaped leg brace pivotally connected with the rear leg frame and extending upwardly and rearwardly to the board but in front of said cross bar to establish interlocking connections with the board, said V-shaped leg brace having offsets near its pivotal connections for interlocking with said connector frame.

12. In a collapsible ironing table the combination including an ironing board, front and rear leg frames pivotally secured to the board. a brace frame for releasably connecting the rear leg frame to the board, said brace frame having lateral end extensions forming pivot connections with the leg frame, a connector frame for bracing the leg frames with respect to each other and having an offset rear portion for interlocking engagement with said brace frame extensions.

13. In a collapsible ironing table, the combination incuding an ironing board attached to a substantially V-shaped front leg frame, the upper lateral ends of which form pivotal connections between the board and a substantially upright rear leg frame, a connector brace extending rearwardly from the front leg frame, a second brace swingably secured to said rear leg frame and ex-.

tending rearwardlyand upwardly through said connector brace to interlock the latter between the rear leg frame and the second brace, and for means abutting against the adjacent end of said.

connector brace.

14. In a collapsible ironing table the combination including an ironing board, a substantially upright rear leg frame pivotally connected with a cross bar secured to the board, an inclined v-shaped front leg frame having offset extensions at its ends for pivotal connections with said rear legfranie and cross bar, a connector brace extending from said front leg frame for interlocking connection with a brace frame, such brace frame being pivotally connected with said rear leg frame and having extensions adjacent its said pivotal connections for engagement with said connector brace. said brace frame being so disposed at its connections with rear leg frame as to rigidly lock said leg frames and connector brace when the board is in an inclined position and to releasably lock board when the latter is in a horizontal position.

15. In a collapsible ironing table the combination including a substantially upright rear leg frame, an inclined V-shaped front leg frame pivotally connected with respect to said rear leg frame, an ironing board mounted near its rear end on said frames, a connector frame pivotally connected to the front leg frame and extending rcarwardly for interlocking connection with the rear leg frame, a substantially V-shaped brace frame pivotally secured to and swingable with respect to the rear leg frame and slidable within the connector framefor interlocking connections therewith, said brace frame being adapted to releasably connect with rear portion'of board, and means connected with said rear leg frameand abutting against one end of said connector brace frame for locking the same with respect to rear leg,frame when the table is in set up position.

OSCAR A. FLAGSTAD; 

